growing tomatos in the northeast?

Question

First of all, thank you for answering my question.

I have grown tomatoes in my garden but only using plants. Is it possible to sow seeds directly into the ground? Is it possible to much or use black poly to warm the soil and when should I sow the seeds for the northeast?

Answer 1

No

Tomatoes need 8 to 10 weeks to grow from seed to transplant size, 12 weeks is the whole summer in northern New England

Then another 10 to 12 from blossom to ripe fruit

Answer 2

It is possible to sow tomato seeds directly in the ground but not recommended for the NE. Even if you kept the soil warm, you would not likely have a long enough growing season to get a good harvest.
I would start the tomato seeds now in your home. Use peat pots to make transplanting easy and hang a flourescent light above your seedlings.
Before you move the plants outside you will need to "harden them off". Meaning get them used to outdoor life. Just put them outside once a day for a couple hours for a week or so. Then plant them in the ground.
If you don't want to go through all this work, your best bet would be to just continue to buy plants from the local nursery.

Answer 3

It is possible if you think you can accurately predict the weather. I prefer to start my tomato plants inside so they will have plenty of time to grow outside after the last frost. If you take a chance and plant seeds outside, you might lose the plants if the temperature drops too far. You can start your tomato plants in soda cans with the top cut off or plastic cups. Either way, be sure to poke some holes in the bottom for drainage.

Answer 4

You may want to sow them inside so you can get an early enough start. You need 2 months just to get them to the point where you can plant them outside, then another 2 months or more til the tomatoes are ready. http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:tThJ2L7q104J:info.ag.vt.edu/vce/offices/newsletters/Feb26.pdf+sow+tomato+site:edu&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Answer 5

you should start your seeds indoors around christmas